Shiitake is an edible fungus and one of the most common mushrooms in Northeastern Asia and is prized for its intense aroma and flavor. Shiitakes are meaty, rich-flavored mushrooms, grown in the forest, with a robust/pungent, woodsy flavor and meaty texture that are excellent in your favorite recipes. This black-to-buff-colored mushroom is one of the most commonly used mushrooms in Mainland China, where they are sauteed in vegetarian dishes. In Thailand they are fried or steam while in Japan they are served in miso soup, as well as the main ingredient in many steamed and simmered dishes and as the basis of vegetarian dashi.

Large in size, the shiitake possess an earthly flavor that’s very common to wild mushrroms. The flavor of the shiitake is four to ten times the flavor of the average white
button mushrooms, and people prefer the dried shiitakes because the sun drying process intensifies the umami flavor.

Serving ideas:

Add shiitake to soups, stews, gravies, baked dishes, sauces or prepare them as a side dish.